Gitesh Gunjan (PFM 2006-08) is currently working as Senior Manager in the Business Consulting vertical of Ernst & Young LLP. While working for the government and public sector advisory practice, his specific area of focus is in the Skill Development & Entrepreneurship consulting space.
During the initial years of his career, he did manage on-ground execution and implementation of several large-scale skill development programs as a training service provider. While during the latter half of his career, he has been engaged in undertaking various consulting assignments which involved supporting various Central/State Government departments in devising/updating their schemes and policy documents, designing the scheme guidelines & SoPs, providing advisory & program management support, etc.
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Q. How has been your journey from IIFM to this role?
A. Post passing out from IIFM, I did join IMS Learning at their Pro-school division where my role was to manage the business development aspects of various professional development courses. There, I got an opportunity to execute placement-linked vocational training programs for underprivileged rural youth of Gujarat. With that little understanding and experience of implementing skill development programs, my journey in the sector started. I did join IL&FS Clusters thereafter where I had to implement the large-scale skills training programs across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
With good exposure and understanding in the skilling space, I had got an opportunity to get into consulting with EY. After working there for good 2 years, I switched to PwCpost which I did also try my luck in entrepreneurship through the opening of a quick-service restaurant at Bhopal, which I had to close in just 6-7 months. Thereafter, I have been with EY for the last 4 years where I lead and manage multiple consulting assignments for many Central & State Govt. departments.
Apart from working on several research-based studies and providing consulting services to clients, my role is to undertake and manage business development by expanding the existing solutions to new geographical areas & clients and developing new solutions and products in the sector to broaden up the business horizon for the firm.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. Every project and assignment that I had managed and executed, has given me ample opportunities to learn and can be quoted as a milestone in itself. However, I would like to mention my experience with IL&FS Clusters where I had independently managed various large-scale skill development programs and multiple cluster development programs at the regional level. As a Regional Head, my responsibilities included, hiring and managing 100+ team members, managing the establishment of multiple training centers, developing and maintaining the relationship with the industry players & employers, regular coordination with various govt. officials while meeting the year-on-year business targets.
Such exposure at IL&FS helped me a lot in taking up new roles and responsibilities later in my career. I would also like to mention my learnings at EY where I have been given an opportunity to manage my portfolio of consulting projects and develop new businesses. With extensive work experience in scheme design, policy-making, and delivering advisory services to various Central/State Govts. and multilateral agencies, I have started looking at government schemes, policies, and programs with a different lens.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your current role?
A. When I look back to the statistics and the impact that has been created on the millions of people through the number of skill development & entrepreneurship initiatives and cluster development programs across India, I feel very happy about it. I feel satisfied with the fact that my little contribution and efforts while working in the sector have created a path for employment and income generation for lakhs of men and women across India.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. It is IIFM that has carved my career path and has given me the very opportunity to kick start my professional journey. The learnings at IIFM have helped me to be a quick decision-maker, deliver time-bound assignments and become a true professional.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles?
A. I can proudly say that the IIFM family has been the key influencer, guide, and driver which helped me excel in my professional journey at every stage of my career to date.
As suggested by many of our alumni, I would also like to reiterate that one should identify his/her strengths, weaknesses, and interest areas and focus on continuous self-development. I would like to advise the youngsters that one should be mindful in choosing the career path because we generally get attracted to the track which gives us more financial gain at the start and not the long-term sustainable option.
Our Alumni are the greatest asset of the IIFM family and I would strongly suggest each one of you to be in continuous touch with them, seek guidance and support at any point in time. I have worked with several colleagues from various institutions and I can confidently say that the way we IIFMights are bonded together, cannot be seen elsewhere.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. There are many memorable experiences at IIFM which I can recall. Some of them include Birthday bumps, Holi celebration, Tug of War, Cooking litti-chokha and chicken (Abhishek’s specialty), adventurous ride in “Bhatt Suar”, Snacks at Madhuram Sweets, Ice-Cream at Top n Town New Market, buying second-hand stuff with Kallol, Chicken Lollypop at Sakshi Dhaba, Movie screening by our Movie Club, Sunday Biryani at IIFM Mess, Skits we participate in and many more…
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution (courses, faculty, library, friends, alumni.. Anything else!!) or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. I think the courses such as Strategic Management, Financial Management, Quant, and respective elective subjects were very useful. Participating across various IIFM clubs, activities, assignments/projects, field visits and 2 OTs have helped me in overall personal and professional development.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. I had a fantastic time with all my batchmates and seniors at IIFM. I cannot forget the Quant classes by CVRS Sir, RD, and Microfinance classes by Biswas Sir at flexible timings proposed by us, IT classes by meticulous CSR Sir, HR&OB Classes by always smiling Rekha Ma’am, very useful lessons in Microeconomics by Madhu Verma ma’am, Ecology classes by Suprava ma’am and forestry classes by Amitabh sir and YD sir.
Q. As an alumnus, what’s your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get the best out of the 2 years there?
A. I would suggest all the newcomers of the IIFM family to learn every lesson, participate in every activity, and cherish every moment at IIFM. I think you may not get another chance in life to experience such a magical life on campus. IIFM has everything that you want to learn, experience, and take away with.
Q. What is your typical day at the office?
A. I think there is no typical day in consulting. Rather, it’s a combination of day and night most of the time. I am just kidding ?. But yes, it is a regular practice of consultants to work till stretched hours.
My work typically involves meeting various government clients, taking stock of the ongoing projects, number of phone calls, lot of interstate travel, and managing various Bids. I feel that leading a bid/BD proposal is a big event for us and it involves a lot of teamwork, planning, and strategic inputs. Post its submission I generally feel similar relief that one feels after successfully completing his/her child’s marriage. But, then comes another child to get married and it goes on and on….. Even with all these, I feel every day is interesting and challenging and it gives me immense opportunities to showcase my abilities and learn further.
Q. Would you like to share about your typical weekends…
A. During weekends, I love cooking and spending time with my family, friends, and relatives. I also love watching movies, TV series (mostly Hindi), playing badminton, etc.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors,…
A. I have only read “The Alchemist” and “The Ultimate Gift” and so, these two books are my favorites ?. I love watching almost all Bollywood movies and few select flicks from Hollywood. Some of my favorites are Barfi, Aankhon Dekhi (Sanjay Mishrastarrer), Zakhm, Bheja Fry, Life of Pi, Despicable Me, Ice Age series, and of course Bahubali (fantastic creation by Rajamouli)
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitments towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, students?
A. I would be very happy to contribute in whatever way possible to the IIFM family.
Q.What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there? What do you think is a positive change and what is not?
A. When I studied at IIFM, we used to have 2 different organizational training of 10 weeks each and this gave us an extensive exposure and understanding of the professional world before we came out from the Institute. I think it would be nice if the same can be re-initiated.
I can see more traction among the alumni now, as compared to when I studied at IIFM. A lot of activities, workshops, newsletters, and forums have been created/undertaken to enhance alumni engagement which I feel is a very positive pursuit. With the newly created Alumni Association and better alumni participation, I am sure we would be able to bring the required positive changes and help our alma-mater to become a sought place for recruiters from across the world to hire budding leaders.
Q. Any suggestions on who from our alumni you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. I want all my batch mates to get profiled here as all of them are doing exceptionally well in their areas of the professional journey.
We have some alumni who had chosen to contribute to nation-building by joining civil services. Mr. Bhashkar Lakshkar, Mr. Neeraj Bhansod, Mr. Vineet Abhishekare some of them. I would like to get them profiled. We should also profile Mr.Amit Vatsyayan and similar stalwarts who have reached the topmost level in their respective organizations and can share their inspirational journey with us.